It appears that no one is happy with the ruling by the Federal Court last Friday which struck down some of the campaign finance law. [what I said]
The court ruled unconstitutional a provision barring a number of interest groups, including those financed with corporate and union money, from airing issue ads mentioning federal candidates in those candidates' districts in the month before a primary and within two months of a general election.It upheld fallback rules that bar the same groups from airing ads that promote, support, attack or oppose a candidate at any time. It's unclear how far interest groups can go when featuring candidates in ads because the law doesn't say what it means to promote, support, attack or oppose a candidate. The court's ruling leaves in effect a ban that stops the NRA (National Rifle Association) from airing an advertisement urging Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., to vote for legislation blocking lawsuits against gun dealers.
The NRA has asked the Court to stay its decision.
The Justice Department has joined with the Federal Election Commission in requesting a stay, also.
"Until the Supreme Court has an opportunity to consider the important issues presented by this case, the statutory scheme established by Congress should remain in place," the government said in its filing to the court."Allowing the decision in this case to go into effect during an appeal would have tumultuous consequences for the nation's federal electoral system," it said, noting that the campaign finance legislation "substantially amended" laws governing the financing of federal elections.
"Supreme Court justices are expected to decide quickly so politicians will know whether the law will be in effect while raising money for the 2004 presidential and congressional elections."
There had been no major revision of campaign financing laws for 30 years, and it took more than seven years of debate before this legislation finally passed and was signed into law. Most Americans agree that there needed to be some changes made to campaign financing laws. Let us hope that the Supreme Court quickly defines what acts the legislature can control and those which it cannot control when it comes to political advertising.
Posted by Tiger at May 9, 2003 03:40 PM | TrackBack